In its most basic terms, abuse is defined as when an individual does something that causes harm to a child. Abuse can take many forms, such as physical or emotional injury, or sexual abuse. Neglect can include failure to meet a child’s basic physical, developmental, or emotional needs. Research shows that children at a greater risk for abuse and neglect have families that deal with considerable stress from material or financial hardship, mental health problems, substance abuse, family violence, and caregiver history of adversity or trauma.
Child abuse and neglect is a widespread issue, affecting families from nearly all walks of life.
The national estimate of children who received a child protective services investigation response or alternative response increased 9.5 percent from 2012 (3,172,000) to 2016 (3,472,000). In 2016, alleged maltreatment involved 7.4 million children across the U.S.1
The number and rate of victims have fluctuated during the past 5 years. Comparing the national rounded number of victims from 2012 (656,000) to the national estimate of victims in 2016 (676,000) shows an increase of 3.0 percent.
Three-quarters (74.8%) of victims were neglected, 18.2 percent were physically abused, and 8.5 percent were sexually abused.
For 2016, a nationally estimated 1,750 children died of abuse and neglect at a rate of 2.36 per 100,000 children in the national population.
70 percent of child fatalities in 2016 involved children younger than 3 years, and children younger than 1 year accounted for 44.4 percent of all fatalities.2
About 1 in 6 children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disability or other developmental delays.
Southwest Ohio has a higher prevalence in these areas, compared to other regions of the state, which raises significant concern.
The drug overdose mortality rate in Southwest Ohio is the worst in Ohio, with every county (but two) having rates in the highest tier.
1 in 5 children in Southwest Ohio lives in poverty.
Half of all Ohio children taken into custody last year had parents who used drugs, most of which were opiates.
You have the power to create a healthy environment for children in your life.
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